Let's Talk BBQ
FORUM SPONSORS => MAK Grills => Topic started by: teesquare on June 22, 2016, 12:17:02 AM
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I am fortunate to own MAK #48. I bought it - and it was a few years old then - from nepas, and o only then because he was moving into a motor home. What a luck break I was getting - and did not know it....
It was shipped to MAK, where the belly was replaced with stainless ( originally the first few had a powder coated steel lower end )and cart were replaced with and the cart was refinished with the current black and grey splatter/marbled finish, unfit electronic to include the WiFi module.
ANd...I used the 2 star to do everything I could think of....( have you ever smoke-dried your underwear...? Don't knock it 'til you ty it! :D :D :D ) Seriously - I lost count after about 400 hours of use. But - I was not as neat as I could have been - and would overload the pit - such that the meats would drip outside of the area of the drip pan - so all of that eventually became this black, armor plating about 3/8" thick - that could be a replacement for DU ( Depleted Uranium) armor on M-1 Abrams tanks.... ;D
So...when "that day" came - as it invariably does...when one's conscience collides with reality ....I wen full OCD x Anal Retentive + busted knuckles and tore the MAK down for not only a "restorative cleaning" - but to perform a couple of upgrades: 1. the stainless front shelf. and 2. the new Flash-Fire ignition kit that replaced the hot-rod style ignitors. This should prevent the one part that pellet grill owners all know - they should keep a spare on hand....
Because the years of hard use were showing on old #48, the stainless steel had some scratches that were minor- but obvious. And the original finish has now been replaced with a "DA 120" finish. This is one that is not as shiny - and just looks better. Less glare, and just less critical looking. I like it a lot.
Here is the hood before, half-way thru and after sanding and re-finishing with a dual action air sander and 120 grit sandpaper:
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SO I had to clean the inside too... The entire interior was BLACK...and had very heavy deposits. Not grease...but baked on carbon. I disconnected the left and right wings ( electronics on the left and smoker box on the right) and focused on smoking the interior with a Citrus based cleaner from owes that is not caustic - and rinsed way cleanly.
I use a paint scraper, charcoal grey paint stripping pads and a small steel wire brush.
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And...time to put her back together! I want to thank Bruce, Katrina Bob and Matt, and CJ for for the parts each of them played in talking me thru this - and for making the BEST part of an awesome product even better...the support!
Clearly - MAKS are designed to not have to be replaced, and they can be up-graded at will. But - the genuine care that the people of MAK Grills show the customer.... is priceless.
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Gosh, tee, if you ship that wonderful machine to me within the next month I'll be your new best friend forever (along with Art, of course), never say another derogatory thing about Aggies, and I won't publish the pictures from that "gentleman's club" in New Orleans.
If you don't, I'll come to Carolina to discuss the issue so we can negotiate a mutually agreeable outcome. Tell Kay to make sure your home and life insurance policies are paid up, put her valuables in off-site storage, and take a solo vacation somewhere far away (with witnesses).
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She looks pretty Tee!
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Once again, that is a very impressive job you did on that ole MAK!! I'd be afraid to dirty it after all that hard work ;-)
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Wow an Awesome job ;D
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Nice job on the restoration! I'm jealous :)
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Gosh, tee, if you ship that wonderful machine to me within the next month I'll be your new best friend forever (along with Art, of course), never say another derogatory thing about Aggies, and I won't publish the pictures from that "gentleman's club" in New Orleans.
If you don't, I'll come to Carolina to discuss the issue so we can negotiate a mutually agreeable outcome. Tell Kay to make sure your home and life insurance policies are paid up, put her valuables in off-site storage, and take a solo vacation somewhere far away (with witnesses).
You might need to pull an insurance policy on me from laughing to death..........
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Nice to see people taking care of their equipment and good write up of the longevity of the MAK.
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Gosh, tee, if you ship that wonderful machine to me within the next month I'll be your new best friend forever (along with Art, of course), never say another derogatory thing about Aggies, and I won't publish the pictures from that "gentleman's club" in New Orleans.
If you don't, I'll come to Carolina to discuss the issue so we can negotiate a mutually agreeable outcome. Tell Kay to make sure your home and life insurance policies are paid up, put her valuables in off-site storage, and take a solo vacation somewhere far away (with witnesses).
Hang in there Sunshine...your next dose of meds is just a few hours away. :D :D :D
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The new Flash-Fire ignition system has been covered by Tenthunter here: http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=16651.msg221301#msg221301
Thanks guys! It took about a week of part-time cleaning. I would scrape a little, spray some of the Citrus grill cleaner, scrub with a brush - and let it sit overnight. Not a fast approach, but I will NEVER allow my grill to get that caked up again. ;)
Here are some pictures of the installed Flash Fire unit ( should have taken some "before" pics of the unit itself...sorry- ) and the new fire pot. The advantage of this over traditional "hot rod" type systems? Durability and SPEED...Watch the video on Tent's thread above and you will not believe how fast the pellets start smoldering. That will reduce your time - to - set point temp by 1/2 or more. ;)
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Oooooh... It's shiny again! Nice cleaning job. Tee that grill looks new on the outside.
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Cliff - the quality of the metal makes a difference. Good components = longevity.
And - many know this..some may not - but MAK will not even buy a screw from China. And -t eh screws they use are of a high grade, non rusting stainless too!
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Great job Tee. There is a fireplace store down the hill that I frequent for our wood stove and they have a Mak 1 star on the sales floor. That beauty screams quality even from a distance..............
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Great job Tee. There is a fireplace store down the hill that I frequent for our wood stove and they have a Mak 1 star on the sales floor. That beauty screams quality even from a distance..............
MAK is just a different kind of grill company. They really do not care to be the LARGEST...just the best ;)
SO...the time for testing my ability to re-assemble, and re-connect all the wiring is now. ( Truthfully - the wiring is all marked - and color coded....you really would have to work hard to screw it up. But - I am talented in those ways....so if I can manage do correctly it - then a blind one-armed chimpanzee can do it. :D )
What to cook...? I have some Conecuh that I picked up at the factory store in ...where else? Conecuh Co. Alabama! We were on the way back from New Orleans and...I had to stop in to the Holy Tabernacle of Sausage Making.... 8) and pick up some Hickory Spicy
And look at the MAK 2 Star put out that beautiful blue smoke on the SMOKE setting!
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Dang, Tee, you did that grill proud!! Looks brand new! I love the new 'brushed steel' look of the new grills, and hiding little scratches is another bonus.
Cliff - the quality of the metal makes a difference. Good components = longevity.
And - many know this..some may not - but MAK will not even buy a screw from China. And -t eh screws they use are of a high grade, non rusting stainless too!
True, no China made screws here! There are a couple of tiny exceptions to that rule--we make every effort to buy each and every bit that goes into our grills in America to support American jobs--from the metal to the powder coat to the wheels. However, there are a couple of items that we are unable to source from the States. I believe it's just a couple of little components that go into the control board that aren't USA made, and that's only because there simply isn't a source here for them. The boards themselves, however, are made locally here in Oregon, as are the rest of the grills.
Our parent company, MAK Metals, started out doing precision sheet metal work, and carried over that expertise into engineering and producing the grills. We've got kind of a fun video showing some of the processes that go into the making of each grill here if anyone is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZQUuV54HhE
I know a few of you on the forum have gotten to tour the factory and have seen the robots and welders in action-- it's quite the sight!
We went through the Made in USA Certified process a few years ago, which detailed out the sources of every single item that goes into making a MAK. It was a very lengthy and involved process, but proved that we do indeed source everything possible from the US, and earned their seal of approval.
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Tee,
Great job on your MAK 2 Star. I think you need some more practice. Mine is available so you can sharpen your skills.
Seriously, I need to give mine a thorough cleaning, and possibly do some upgrading.
Art
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Cliff - the quality of the metal makes a difference. Good components = longevity.
And - many know this..some may not - but MAK will not even buy a screw from China. And -t eh screws they use are of a high grade, non rusting stainless too!
Yep, you are pointing out what I think is the BIGGEST hidden difference that most people overlook when comparing grills. There IS a very good reason that MAK grills are priced where they are. Every single little part on a MAK is the highest quality. There are NO corners cut at all, and that includes their unmatched customer support.
The bottom line is with a MAK you are getting what you paid for! :)
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Great post Tee. Now come clean mine. Seriously, if you ever find yourself in Dallas, Oregon. Stop into Mak. I stopped in a few years back, walked in the door, and introduced myself as Mak #1,000. Even got a tour. Just great friendly folks.
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Pappy.....I can't be bought - but I can be rented...Keep the steaks coming and I may give lessons.... :D
I will be in your neck of the woods on 1 August for a few days. Perhaps we could grab a burger and beverage? PM me..... Maybe we could get a few of the Minnesota/Mid-West Grilling Mafia together for a meal?
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Pappy.....I can't be bought - but I can be rented...Keep the steaks coming and I may give lessons.... :D
I will be in your neck of the woods on 1 August for a few days. Perhaps we could grab a burger and beverage? PM me..... Maybe we could get a few of the Minnesota/Mid-West Grilling Mafia together for a meal?
So do you take guests bearing gifts?
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Pappy.....I can't be bought - but I can be rented...Keep the steaks coming and I may give lessons.... :D
I will be in your neck of the woods on 1 August for a few days. Perhaps we could grab a burger and beverage? PM me..... Maybe we could get a few of the Minnesota/Mid-West Grilling Mafia together for a meal?
So do you take guests bearing gifts?
Of course! Geeks, Greeks...or cooking freaks! :D
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Tee,
Great job on your MAK 2 Star. I think you need some more practice. Mine is available so you can sharpen your skills.
Seriously, I need to give mine a thorough cleaning, and possibly do some upgrading.
Art
Art you are close enough ... that we could do work on yours! Just let me know.
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Nice looking results.... If I tried that on my Grill, it would fall apart!
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Nice work. We have a big party this week so both MAK Grills #68 and #186 will be at full song. Then #68 is getting similar treatment. I may have to try your stainless refinish.